Schools around the country are working on new ways to make everyone feel included, one of which is called the "Buddy Bench."
This idea is taking the country by storm. School youth organizations or Scout troops buy a large bench — which can cost hundreds of dollars — and then paint and decorate it on the school playground.
The concept is simple: If a student is sitting on the bench during recess, it's a signal that they want to join and play with another group but don't know how to ask.
Or it can be a signal that the child is feeling sad or alone and wants someone to sit next to him and strike up a conversation.
The Richardson Independent School District placed buddy benches in two elementary schools. The Lake Dallas Independent School District uses them, as well. Several other private schools in North Texas have added them this year.
Bowie Elementary School staff members in Richardson say the concept has really taken off.
"It's really the students themselves that are driving the initiative at our school on how to use the buddy bench and how to be kind and compassionate towards their classmates," counselor Jeni Dillingham said.
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Dillingham said buddy benches can reduce bullying in elementary schools.
"I certainly think you will see long-range effects of this, including students learning empathy and kindness towards other people, to notice things just outside their one little circle of friends," she said. "I also thinks it will help reduce bullying at schools since it can help young students see another student's perspective."
October is National Bullying Prevention month. A 2014 study showed 70 percent of students witnessed bullying at school and 49 percent of students in grades four through 12 reported being bullied at school.
